Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Bipolar Disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Auditory Verbal Hallucinations in Bipolar Disorder
IRAS ID
170288
Contact name
Lindsay Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 26 days
Research summary
Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) are reported by a significant minority of individuals in the general population and are associated with a range of physical and mental health conditions. In psychotic conditions, they are often reported to be amongst the most distressing symptoms. Up to one third of individuals with Bipolar Disorder (BD) are estimated to have experienced AVHs, yet few studies have investigated these in detail in this population. A clearer understanding of the phenomenology of AVHs and predictors of distress in BD might improve understanding of their role in the illness course and lead to more targeted interventions.
A substantial body of evidence supports, for example, the efficacy of Cognitive, Behavioural interventions for persistent, distressing voices. The therapeutic technique is based on the principle that the beliefs a person holds about their voices, rather than the existence or the content of the voices per se, predicts an individual’s level of distress and their emotional and behavioural reactions to voices. Much of the research leading to the development of this theory has been conducted in schizophrenia. We know relatively little about how interpretations of voices may differ in individuals with BD, for whom the experiences are typically restricted to the extreme mood states that form a core element of the condition (depression and mania).
The present study will examine cognitive correlates of distress from AVHs in BD, including specific beliefs about AVHs and thinking styles or biases, in addition to characterising AVH phenomenology. Individuals with a diagnosis of BD, who have recent experiences of AVHs will be recruited through the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre ‘Consent for Contact’ initiative. This is a register of service users within South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation trust (SLAM) who have previously agreed to be contacted about research. Recruitment will also take place through community recovery services within Lambeth, Lewisham, Croydon and Southwark.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0205
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion